1. Briefly summarise the plot of the story.
This is an amazing story of a young girl learning to come to terms with her mother's death. Siobhán is like most little girls, she runs, and plays and has fun. But at ten she can no longer remember her mother's face, she is sad about this but cannot talk to her father, as he too is overcome with his grief. One day in the park she meets a strange lady, and the woman tells her to look in the mirror and she will see her mother there in her own face.
2. Describe the main characters. What kind of people are they? Use examples from the story to show what you mean.
Siobhán: Siobhán was ten years old now, and she could not remember her mother´s face. Siobhán spent hours and hours exploring the rooms and halls, and she always found something new.
Father: He was a nice man, but he was very quiet and sad, and he kept himselt to himself. He read to Siobhán sometimes. He brought her home a new book every Friday. He smiled whenever he saw her looking at him, but he never spoke to her about her mother.
3. What is the main conflict of the novel? How is it resolved?
Siobhán was ten years old, she can no longer remember her mother's face, she is sad about this but cannot talk to her father, as he too is overcome with his grief.
4. Are there any interesting sub-plots (minor conflicts)? Briefly summarise them.
This is an amazing story of a young girl learning to come to terms with her mother's death. Siobhán is like most little girls, she runs, and plays and has fun. But at ten she can no longer remember her mother's face, she is sad about this but cannot talk to her father, as he too is overcome with his grief. One day in the park she meets a strange lady, and the woman tells her to look in the mirror and she will see her mother there in her own face.
2. Describe the main characters. What kind of people are they? Use examples from the story to show what you mean.
Siobhán: Siobhán was ten years old now, and she could not remember her mother´s face. Siobhán spent hours and hours exploring the rooms and halls, and she always found something new.
Father: He was a nice man, but he was very quiet and sad, and he kept himselt to himself. He read to Siobhán sometimes. He brought her home a new book every Friday. He smiled whenever he saw her looking at him, but he never spoke to her about her mother.
3. What is the main conflict of the novel? How is it resolved?
Siobhán was ten years old, she can no longer remember her mother's face, she is sad about this but cannot talk to her father, as he too is overcome with his grief.
4. Are there any interesting sub-plots (minor conflicts)? Briefly summarise them.
No.
5. Where or when is the novel set? Does it affect the story? If so, how? If not, why not?
In a big house in Dublin.
6. What do you think was the author’s purpose in writing the novel?
So pick it up and journey with Siobhán as she grows up and becomes a mother herself, yet always with the memory of her own mother. It is a good story to share with the children in your life, especially if they have lost someone close.
7. Often the title of a short story or novel points to a theme. What do you think the title of this novel means?
Very direct.
Very direct.
8. Comment on the author’s writing style. Did you like it? Why? Why not?
This is a magnificent book. Books written for children that deal with grief are either very good or very bad. This one is very good. Roddy Doyle tells a great story, and in the tradition of great Irish writers, he is a master storyteller and this is truly a masterpiece. The illustrations by Freya Blackwood are done in a simple understated style. Yet they bring a great depth to the story.
9. How did you react to the novel? Why?
I like it. The story is very beautiful.
10. Add anything else you want to comment on.
No.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario